Am I Entirely Ready?
As an alcoholic, giving up control is awkward and strenuous - I would rather apply some sort of cognitive therapy or behavioral modification to control my defects. But those methods are like applying band-aids to a festering infection, they don't do anything. Control of defects is not the snag, but rather that our human defects are not to exist in our behavior, as it is our defects that are keeping us from the perfection that God seeks in us. God seeks for us to be the human being that He created us to be, thereby able to maximize our human potential.
When we are in the will of God our human character defects, which exist only in our human nature, cannot possibly manifest themselves in our behavior.
Yes, I am willing to be entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Written by Armand
The word character wasn't part of my vocabulary when thinking or talking about myself which was always. That which was defective in me went far beyond my character. It was my human nature, infiltrated by fear, negativity and false pride that evoked the constant manifestation of my horrendous behavior. Alcoholic drinking was simply a part of that behavior, not the cause of it. In Step Six, I learned that I had to let go of everything, as I was a walking compendium of defects. Everything had to go. But How, Where, and to Whom? The Second Step introduced me to Trust. And in the Third Step I began to have an awareness/relationship with The Power Within me. For me and for that reason, that is why the Steps come in specific order. Today I fully know that without That Power, I will be again left to my own hapless devices, and my defects will reappear as my character recedes into its formerly selfish self. In order to not fall into that personal hellhole, I must be entirely ready. There is no short cut.
ReplyDeleteMichael In Bill's Story Bill says "simple but not easy - it meant destruction of self centeredness, I had to turn towards the light in all things." Understanding what is required of me from the 12 Steps of AA is not difficult. It is abandoning myself to God. There in that moment two things occur which are paramount to an alcoholic. First I will not drink and secondly in the will of God I cannot possibly manifest my character defects...Thank you...Armand
DeleteThis Comment Is From A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic
ReplyDeleteArmand,
In Step 5 we have admitted to God that our complete 'bucket list", both checked and unchecked, good and bad was ultimately inspired by a reprobate mind totally immersed in insatiable appetites. Step 6 isn't so much an action that we perform but an out growth and witness to the deep and unspeakable change that has occurred in our heart, mind and spirit during the ongoing revelation of God's presence, mercy and love. The obsession is gone, the prison doors have been opened. Step 6 confirms our abandoned plans as we continue the ongoing surrender of our will and our lives to the One who has all power.
And, as said in a previous post, "We discover that the heretofore insurmountable and mysterious wall that once concealed the "Simple" in the "Program of AA" has been removed, completely swept away by the unseen Hand of God who created us to experience this very moment and ( in Step 7) many more yet to be discovered." Although sometimes hard and demanding, it is altogether a life of joy, freedom and peace that only God has, and could have designed.
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic
a Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic a life lived in the consciousness of God is a life fueled by gratitude and love through the service of others...Thank you...Armand
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